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Valve Sets Steam Machine at 1080p/30 and Steam Frame at 90 FPS in New Verified Rules

The company is prioritizing clear compatibility guarantees over marketing targets to set expectations for its new hardware.

Overview

  • Steam Machine Verified now requires native 1080p at a steady 30 FPS with Deck-style controller support, and all Steam Deck Verified titles will carry over.
  • Steam Frame’s standalone targets are 90 FPS for VR and 720p at 30 FPS for 2D, with mandatory Frame controller support and legible VR UI.
  • Valve reiterates roughly 6x Steam Deck performance and says many games can reach 4K/60 using upscaling such as AMD FSR, though the guaranteed floor remains 1080p/30.
  • Verification for the Steam Machine will not assess display resolution or UI legibility, and Valve is introducing an updated hardware-detection API for developers.
  • Valve is now aiming for a broader 2026 release window due to the global DRAM shortage, and a spokesperson indicated pricing will track a PC rather than a subsidized console.